Annasaheb Dange College of B Pharmacy, Ashta 416301
The integration of machine learning (ML) into pharmacology and drug discovery has transformed the way therapeutic candidates are identified, optimized, and evaluated. Traditional drug development is time-consuming, expensive, and associated with high failure rates; ML offers data-driven strategies to accelerate decision-making across the drug development pipeline. A critical component determining the success of ML models is feature engineering, particularly the selection of meaningful molecular descriptors that capture the physicochemical and structural properties of compounds. Descriptors such as molecular weight, lipophilicity (LogP), hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, topological indices, and SMILES-based representations enable accurate prediction of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and toxicity profiles. This review discusses the role of supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning approaches in pharmacological research, highlighting their applications in virtual screening, QSAR modelling, drug repurposing, ADMET prediction, and personalized medicine. The article further emphasizes recent advancements in deep learning and molecular representation techniques that enhance predictive accuracy and reduce experimental burden. Overall, ML-driven pharmacology represents a paradigm shift toward faster, cost-effective, and more precise drug development.
The scientific foundation of clinical therapeutics and drug development is pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). While PD describes how a drug affects the body, including its mechanism of action, efficacy, and toxicity, PK describes how a drug travels through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). PK/PD modeling has historically depended on statistical and mechanistic methods based on compartmental models and differential equations [1,2].
However, the availability of extensive biomedical data and the growing complexity of biological systems have revealed shortcomings in traditional modeling techniques. In this regard, machine learning (ML), a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), has become a game-changing instrument that can improve PK/PD modeling by handling high-dimensional datasets, improving predictive accuracy, and providing data-driven insights [3,4]. A paradigm shift from strictly mechanistic modeling to hybrid and data-centric frameworks is represented by the incorporation of machine learning into PK/PD modeling. Traditional PK/PD models, like one-compartment or multi-compartment models, frequently rely on predetermined functional forms and necessitate biological process assumptions [5].
Nonlinear relationships, inter-individual variability, and complex drug interactions may be difficult for these models to capture, despite their interpretability and physiological relevance. Supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning are examples of machine learning algorithms that provide adaptable options that can reveal hidden patterns without requiring rigid prior assumptions [6]. When modeling PK/PD relationships, methods like random forests, support vector machines, neural networks, and deep learning architectures have demonstrated great promise, especially when working with large and diverse datasets [7]. The ability of machine learning to process and integrate a variety of data sources is one of its main benefits in PK/PD modeling. Large volumes of data are produced by modern drug development, including metabolomic, proteomic, genomic, and clinical trial data [8]. Conventional modeling techniques frequently find it difficult to successfully integrate such multi-modal datasets. In contrast, machine learning techniques can easily incorporate these kinds of data to produce more complete models.
Deep learning techniques can identify complex relationships between drug exposure and therapeutic response by learning patterns from raw data [9]. This is particularly valuable in personalized medicine, where factors such as age, genetics, and comorbidities significantly influence treatment outcomes.
In PK/PD modeling, machine learning (ML) is widely used to predict drug behavior and optimize dosing regimens [10,11]. By utilizing historical data, ML models can accurately estimate pharmacodynamic responses and drug concentration–time profiles, improving efficacy while reducing toxicity. Techniques such as gradient boosting and artificial neural networks are commonly applied to model nonlinear dose–response relationships and predict key parameters like drug clearance and bioavailability, ultimately supporting better clinical trial decisions[12-14].
Moreover, ML helps address inter-individual variability, a major challenge in traditional PK/PD models. Variability due to genetic, environmental, and clinical factors is often difficult to capture with conventional methods. ML approaches, especially nonlinear and nonparametric ones, can better model these complex interactions. Additionally, clustering and dimensionality reduction techniques enable the identification of patient subgroups, facilitating more targeted and personalized therapies.
1.1 Overview of machine learning algorithms used in pharmacology
1.1.1. Introduction
Machine learning (ML), a subfield of artificial intelligence, is transforming pharmaceutical research by enabling data-driven insights and decision-making. [15,16] The pharmaceutical sector generates vast amounts of data from sources such as chemical libraries, clinical trials, and genomic studies. [17] ML techniques can efficiently process and analyze these complex datasets, thereby accelerating drug discovery, reducing development costs, and improving overall success rates.
1.1.2. Key Applications of Machine Learning in Pharmaceuticals
1.1.2.1 Drug Discovery and Design
ML algorithms are widely used to predict molecular properties, biological activity, and drug–target interactions. [18,19] Techniques such as deep learning and Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling are commonly applied.[20-22] These methods help researchers screen millions of chemical compounds to identify promising drug candidates efficiently.
1.1.2.2Target Identification and Validation
Machine learning plays a crucial role in identifying potential biological targets by analyzing genomic and proteomic data. [23,24] It enhances the understanding of disease mechanisms and significantly reduces the time required for experimental validation.
1.1.2 .3 Drug Repurposing
Machine learning enables the identification of new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. This approach is particularly valuable during urgent situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as it significantly shortens the time compared to developing new drugs from scratch. [25-27]
1.1.2.4 Personalized Medicine
ML supports the development of personalized treatment strategies by analysing patient-specific data, including genomic, clinical, and lifestyle information. [28] This leads to improved therapeutic outcomes and a reduction in adverse drug reaction.
1.1.2.5 Manufacturing and Quality Control
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, ML is applied for predictive maintenance of equipment, real-time monitoring of drug quality, and optimization of production processes, ensuring higher efficiency and consistency. [28,29]
2. Types of machine learning algorithms used in pharmacology
Machine learning (ML) techniques in pharmacology are broadly categorized into supervised, unsupervised, semi-supervised, and reinforcement learning, each contributing uniquely to drug research and development. Supervised learning, which relies on labeled datasets, is the most widely used approach and is applied in drug discovery, QSAR modeling, ADME/toxicity prediction, pharmacokinetic pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling, and personalized medicine. [30] By learning from known experimental outcomes, supervised algorithms such as random forests, support vector machines, and neural networks can predict drug activity, safety, dose–response relationships, and patient-specific therapeutic responses, thereby reducing experimental costs and improving the success rate of clinical trials.
2.1 Supervised learning is the most commonly utilized approach, where models are trained using labelled datasets to predict outcomes such as drug efficacy, toxicity, and pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties. [31] Frequently used algorithms include regression models, support vector machines, decision trees, random forests, gradient boosting, and artificial neural networks. These methods are widely applied in areas such as QSAR modelling, biomarker discovery, and dose–response analysis.
2.2 Unsupervised learning is applied when labelled data are not available, enabling the identification of hidden patterns within complex datasets. [32-34] Techniques such as k-means clustering and hierarchical clustering are used to group similar compounds or patient populations, while dimensionality reduction methods like principal component analysis (PCA) help simplify high-dimensional biological data.
Semi-supervised learning integrates both labelled and unlabelled data, making it particularly valuable in pharmacological studies where labelled data are limited. [35,36] This approach enhances model accuracy by utilizing large amounts of available unlabelled information.
3. Application of machine learning in pharmacokinetics
The study of a drug's passage through the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), is known as pharmacokinetic. Conventional PK modelling depends on: one compartment and multi-compartment models. [37]
3.1 Role of Machine Learning
Machine learning methods are capable of processing extensive datasets and detecting intricate patterns. [38-40] Unlike traditional techniques, ML can model nonlinear relationships, making it highly effective in pharmacokinetic research, particularly in predicting drug behaviour and variability.
Key Applications
Algorithms such as neural networks, support vector machines, and random forests are used to estimate pharmacokinetic properties, aiding in early drug screening.
ML improves the identification of patient-specific factors influencing drug kinetics, enabling better understanding of variability among individuals.
By predicting drug concentration profiles, ML supports individualized dosing strategies, improving therapeutic outcomes.
Machine learning models can identify possible drug-drug interactions, contributing to safer medication use.
Advanced deep learning models like LSTM networks are used to analyze time-dependent pharmacokinetic data.
3.2 Prediction of ADME properties using machine learning
Drug discovery is time-consuming, expensive, and has high failure rates. Poor pharmacokinetic properties are a major cause of drug failure. ADME profiling is essential to understand drug behavior in the body [41].
Traditional experimental methods:
3.3 Overview of ADME Properties
3.3.1 Absorption
Describes drug entry into systemic circulation.
Influencing factors:
3.3.2 Distribution
Refers to drug dispersion throughout body tissues.
Key parameters:
3.3.3 Metabolism
Involves chemical transformation of drugs (mainly in liver).
Important enzymes: Cytochrome P450 family.
3.3.4 Excretion
3.4 Role of Machine Learning in ADME Prediction
Machine learning (ML) has become a powerful computational tool for predicting Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) properties during early drug discovery. [42,43] Traditional experimental ADME testing is expensive, time-consuming, and resource-intensive. ML models overcome these limitations by learning patterns from molecular descriptors, chemical structures, and biological assay data to predict pharmacokinetic behavior before laboratory testing.
ML enables rapid prediction of drug-like properties, making it possible to screen thousands of molecules in a short time. This leads to significant cost reduction, supports high-throughput screening, and helps identify poor drug candidates early, thereby reducing late-stage clinical failures.
Key advantages:
3.4.1 Machine Learning Techniques Used
Several ML algorithms are widely used for ADME modeling:
Linear Regression
Linear regression models predict continuous ADME parameters such as solubility, clearance, and permeability. Although simple, they serve as baseline models for comparison. [44]
Support Vector Machines (SVM)
SVM models are useful for classification problems, such as predicting whether a compound is toxic or non-toxic, permeable or non-permeable. [45]
Random Forest (RF)
Random Forest models combine multiple decision trees and can effectively handle nonlinear relationships between molecular features and ADME properties.[46]
Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM)
GBM models sequentially improve prediction accuracy and are widely used due to their high predictive performance.[47]
3.4.2 Deep Learning
Deep learning models provide enhanced capability for handling complex chemical data.
Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)
ANNs can model complex nonlinear patterns and are used to predict multiple ADME properties simultaneously.[48]
Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs)
CNNs analyze molecular graphs and chemical images, allowing automatic feature extraction from structures.[49]
Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs)
RNNs process sequential data such as SMILES strings, enabling prediction of molecular behavior from sequence-based representations.[50]
3.4.3 Data Sources for ADME Prediction
Commonly used datasets:
Data includes:
3.4.4 Feature Engineering
Feature engineering represents a critical step in the successful application of machine learning (ML) in cheminformatics and pharmacology.[51] Since ML algorithms cannot directly interpret chemical structures, molecular information must be translated into numerical representations known as molecular descriptors. These descriptors encode physicochemical, structural, and topological properties of molecules, enabling predictive modeling of biological activity, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and drug-likeness. Carefully selected descriptors significantly enhance model accuracy, robustness, and generalizability.
Molecular Weight
Molecular weight (MW) is one of the most fundamental physicochemical descriptors used in drug discovery. It reflects the overall size of a molecule and strongly influences pharmacokinetic behavior. Compounds with very high molecular weight often exhibit reduced membrane permeability and limited oral bioavailability, whereas extremely small molecules may lack sufficient target specificity. Consequently, MW is frequently incorporated into ML models predicting absorption, distribution, and bioavailability. In many predictive frameworks, molecular weight serves as a baseline descriptor contributing to drug-likeness evaluation and ADME profiling. [52-54]
LogP (Lipophilicity)
LogP, the logarithm of the partition coefficient between octanol and water, is a key indicator of lipophilicity. It determines the balance between aqueous solubility and membrane permeability, two essential parameters governing drug absorption and distribution. Optimal lipophilicity is required to achieve efficient membrane transport while maintaining adequate solubility. Excessive lipophilicity may lead to poor aqueous solubility and increased toxicity, whereas overly hydrophilic molecules may fail to permeate biological membranes. In ML-based drug design, LogP is widely used for predicting bioavailability, skin permeation, blood–brain barrier penetration, and toxicity risk. [55]
Hydrogen Bond Donors and Acceptors
Hydrogen bonding capacity is another critical determinant of drug–target interactions and pharmacokinetic behavior. [56] Hydrogen bond donors (HBD) and hydrogen bond acceptors (HBA) quantify the ability of molecules to participate in intermolecular interactions with biological macromolecules and aqueous environments. These descriptors play a major role in predicting solubility, permeability, receptor binding affinity, and oral bioavailability. They are also integral components of widely accepted drug-likeness guidelines and are routinely incorporated into ML models for activity and ADME prediction.
Topological and Structural Descriptors
Topological and structural descriptors provide detailed information about the molecular framework, including atom connectivity, branching patterns, ring systems, rotatable bonds, molecular surface area, and molecular volume. These descriptors capture the geometric and spatial characteristics that govern molecular recognition and binding. Since biological activity is highly dependent on molecular shape and flexibility, such descriptors are particularly valuable in predicting binding affinity, selectivity, metabolic stability, and toxicity. Machine learning models trained with topological descriptors often demonstrate improved capability in identifying structure–activity relationships (SAR). [57-60]
SMILES-Based Molecular Representation
The Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) offers a text-based representation of chemical structures that enables integration with modern deep learning techniques. SMILES strings allow molecules to be treated as sequential data, facilitating the application of natural language processing methods, recurrent neural networks, and transformer architectures. In recent years, SMILES-based encoding has become central to generative models, molecular property prediction, and reaction modeling. These representations can also be transformed into molecular fingerprints or graph-based embeddings, further enriching ML model performance. [61,62]
Table No.1 Common Applications of Machine Learning in Pharmacology and Drug Discovery with Examples
|
Application Area |
ML Task |
Description |
Example / Case Study |
Impact on Drug Development |
|
Drug Discovery |
Virtual screening |
Predicts active compounds from large chemical libraries |
Deep learning models screening millions of molecules to identify COVID-19 antiviral candidates |
Reduces time and cost of hit identification |
|
Drug–Target Interaction |
Binding affinity prediction |
Estimates how strongly a drug binds to its target protein |
ML prediction of kinase inhibitor binding affinities using molecular descriptors |
Accelerates lead optimization |
|
QSAR Modeling |
Activity prediction |
Correlates molecular structure with biological activity |
Predicting antibacterial activity of novel compounds using QSAR models |
Supports rational drug design |
|
ADMET Prediction |
Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity |
Early evaluation of PK and safety properties |
Predicting oral bioavailability and blood–brain barrier penetration |
Reduces late-stage clinical failure |
|
Toxicity Prediction |
Safety assessment |
Predicts hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, mutagenicity |
ML models predicting drug-induced liver injury (DILI) |
Improves drug safety screening |
|
Drug Repurposing |
New uses for existing drugs |
Identifies new therapeutic indications |
Identification of existing antivirals repurposed for COVID-19 treatment |
Saves development time and cost |
|
Personalized Medicine |
Patient response prediction |
Predicts individual response based on genomics and clinical data |
Predicting cancer patient response to chemotherapy using genomic profiles |
Enables precision therapy |
|
Biomarker Discovery |
Pattern recognition in omics data |
Identifies disease biomarkers from genomic/proteomic datasets |
Identifying biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis |
Supports targeted therapy development |
|
Clinical Trial Optimization |
Patient stratification |
Selects suitable patient populations for trials |
ML selecting patients likely to respond to immunotherapy |
Improves clinical trial success rate |
|
Dose Optimization |
Dose–response modeling |
Predicts optimal dosing regimens |
ML predicting insulin dose requirements in diabetic patients |
Improves efficacy and reduces toxicity |
|
Drug Formulation |
Formulation prediction |
Assists in designing drug delivery systems |
Predicting nanoparticle size and drug release using ML models |
Enhances bioavailability and stability |
|
Pharmacovigilance |
Adverse drug reaction detection |
Detects safety signals from real-world data |
Mining electronic health records to identify rare adverse drug reactions |
Improves post-marketing safety monitoring |
4. Machine learning approaches in pharmacodynamic modeling
The relationship between a drug's concentration and its biological effects is the main focus of pharmacodynamics (PD). Conventional PD modeling uses empirical or mechanistic models (such as Emax models), but these methods frequently have trouble with biological systems that are complex and nonlinear.[63]
Researchers are now incorporating machine learning techniques to enhance prediction accuracy, reveal hidden patterns, and customize medication therapy thanks to advancements in the field.
4.1 Machine Learning's Function in Pharmacodynamics
PD modeling is improved by machine learning through:
Recognizing nonlinear dose-response correlations
4.2. Typical Machine Learning Methods
4..2.1 Guided Education
Uses:
4.2.2 Unsupervised Education
Uses:
4.2.3 In-depth Education
Uses:
4.2.4 Learning by Reinforcement
learns the best dosage techniques by making mistakes.
Uses:
4.3 PK/PD Modeling Integration
4.4. Healthcare Applications
4.4.1 Medical Precision
4.4.2 The Development of Drugs
4.4.3 Prediction of Toxicity
5. Machine learning in dose response & drug target interaction studies.
In modern pharmacology, it is crucial to understand both the effect a drug produces and the mechanism through which it interacts with biological systems. The dose–response relationship illustrates how variations in drug concentration influence physiological outcomes, while drug–target interactions (DTIs) explain the binding of drugs to specific biological molecules such as enzymes, receptors, or proteins.
Traditional experimental and mathematical approaches are often limited when dealing with complex biological variability. The adoption of Machine Learning techniques has significantly improved the ability to analyze, predict, and interpret these relationships more efficiently.[64-67]
5.1. Role of Machine Learning in Dose–Response Evaluation
5.1.1 Basic Concept
Dose–response analysis is essential for determining:
5.1.2 Machine Learning Techniques Used
a. Regression-Based Methods
Function: These methods estimate how changes in dose levels influence the biological response.
b. Neural Network-Based Models
Function: Capable of identifying complex and nonlinear relationships in large datasets.
c. Probabilistic Models
Gaussian process-based approaches
Function: Provide both predictions and uncertainty estimation, especially useful with smaller datasets.
5.1.3 Machine Learning in Drug–Target Interaction Studies
5.1.3.1 Importance of DTIs
Drug–target interactions play a vital role in determining:
Experimental identification of these interactions is resource-intensive, making computational approaches highly advantageous.
5.1.3.2 ML Strategies for Predicting DTIs
a. Similarity-Oriented Methods
Concept: Compounds or proteins with similar features are likely to interact in similar ways.
b. Classification Models
Function: These models predict whether a drug–target interaction exists.
c. Deep Learning Approaches
Function: Capture intricate interaction patterns from complex datasets
d. Network-Based Approaches
6. Future Perspective
The role of Machine Learning (ML) in pharmaceutical sciences, especially in pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), is anticipated to grow substantially in the near future. Continuous progress in computational technologies, along with the increasing availability of large and diverse datasets, is driving this evolution.
Progress in Advanced AI Models
Modern deep learning techniques, including artificial neural networks and transformer-based architectures, are expected to improve the prediction of complex biological and pharmacological relationships. These approaches are capable of modeling intricate, non-linear interactions within PK/PD systems.
Incorporation of Multi-Omics Data
Future developments will emphasize the integration of multi-omics datasets such as genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. This will enable more precise and individualized therapeutic strategies, thereby advancing personalized medicine.
Utilization of Real-World Evidence (RWE)
The growing use of real-world data, including electronic health records and patient monitoring systems, will enhance the predictive performance and clinical applicability of ML models. This approach will improve understanding of drug behavior across varied populations.
Development of Explainable AI (XAI)
Increasing attention is being given to the transparency of ML models. Explainable AI techniques will allow researchers and healthcare professionals to interpret model predictions, thus improving reliability and regulatory compliance.
Automation of Drug Development Processes
ML technologies are expected to automate various stages of drug discovery, including target identification, lead optimization, and toxicity prediction. This will significantly reduce both the time and cost involved in pharmaceutical development.
Regulatory Advancements and Standardization
Regulatory authorities are beginning to acknowledge the importance of ML in healthcare. Future frameworks will likely establish standardized protocols for validation, ensuring safe and effective implementation in PK/PD studies.
Expansion of Cloud and Big Data Technologies
The integration of cloud computing and big data analytics will facilitate efficient processing and storage of large-scale pharmaceutical datasets, supporting collaborative and scalable research efforts.
CONCLUSION
Machine learning has emerged as a transformative tool in pharmacology and drug discovery, enabling faster and more cost-effective identification of drug candidates, prediction of ADMET properties, and optimization of therapeutic outcomes. The success of these models largely depends on robust feature engineering, where molecular descriptors and modern chemical representations translate complex molecular information into machine-readable formats.
Despite significant progress, challenges such as limited high-quality datasets, model interpretability, and integration into regulatory workflows remain. Future advancements in explainable AI, multi-omics integration, and personalized medicine are expected to further enhance the reliability and applicability of ML in pharmaceutical research. Overall, continued interdisciplinary collaboration will be essential to fully realize the potential of machine learning in accelerating safe and effective drug development.
ABBREVIATIONS
REFERENCES
Sakshi Jagtap, Srushti Gaikwad, Rasika Kadam, Prajakta Patil, Machine Learning in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2026, Vol 4, Issue 4, 2436-2452. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19595366
10.5281/zenodo.19595366